Frequently Asked Questions

First of all, what IS Workplace ESL?

Well, it is teaching specific English that employees need to be able to say to co-workers, customers and supervisors. They learn how to ask and answer questions, give information, report problems and emergencies, etc… We do NOT teach our students how to go shopping for tomatoes (unless our group happens to love tomatoes and we can have a special lesson)

How do you teach them English if they don’t understand anything?

This is our favorite question. It’s a secret! Actually, there is an entire master’s degree program dedicated to the teaching of English as a Second (or another) Language. With adults, we use methods to generate language such as TPR by James Asher. We also use the Communicative Approach to teaching ESL.

How long will it take for one of our employees to learn/improve their English?

Well, it depends on a bunch of variables:

Their native language

Their educational background

Their exposure to English

Their family environment

Their reason for learning/improving their English

What if we have employees from many different countries. Can they be in the class too?

This also is a favorite question. The more diversity in the class, the better. If someone who speaks Spanish is sitting next to a person who speaks Amharic, then the two people have two choices - speak English or don’t speak at all.

How many employees can we have in one class?

16 is a great number. 2 is not. 32 is not. A typical classroom employs group work, pair work, games and role play, so you want enough people so no one feels uncomfortable if their English is lower than the rest. Also, with too many in the classroom, the instructor can’t reach everyone. Anywhere from 14 to 20 is best.

You teach the "Spanish" people, right?

Actually, Spanish people are from Spain and we haven’t ever had a student from Spain, but we have many students who are from countries that speak Spanish. We have students from Mexico, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, Colombia, and Ecuador.